Why does the Honda CR-V cool down slowly?
3 Answers
It is common in daily life for the Honda CR-V to have slow cooling. Excessive dirt in the air conditioning refrigerant: Increased resistance reduces the flow of refrigerant to the expansion valve, leading to ineffective cooling of the car's air conditioning system. Air entering the air conditioning system: Once air enters, it can cause excessive pressure in the refrigerant lines and poor refrigerant circulation. This type of fault mainly occurs due to degraded sealing of the cooling system or incomplete vacuuming during maintenance. Reduced heat dissipation capacity of the condenser: Due to varying working environments, the condenser located in front of the car's engine can become covered with oil, dirt, or debris, thereby reducing its heat dissipation capacity.
My CRV also had this issue before, the cooling was frustratingly slow. Even after driving for ten minutes, it still wasn't cool, and the airflow from the vents felt strong. When I went for a check, the mechanic said it might be due to a dirty air filter blocking the air ducts or insufficient pressure caused by refrigerant leakage. Another time, it turned out the radiator was completely clogged with leaves, leading to poor heat dissipation and reduced efficiency. Additionally, a loose compressor belt or frost buildup in the pipes can also affect the cooling speed. If you park under the scorching sun on a hot day, the high interior temperature makes the air conditioning work even harder. It's recommended to first use the external air circulation to expel the hot air before turning on the cooling. If that doesn't help, then it's necessary to check these components.
Last time I drove my friend's older CRV, he also complained about the slow cooling of the AC. I think besides the AC performance degradation due to the car's age, it's also related to usage habits. For example, many people don't change the AC filter, which over time reduces airflow and slows down cooling. Another situation is when there's air in the system that hasn't been properly purged, leading to low cooling efficiency. The compressor not working properly is also a common issue, possibly due to a lack of refrigerant or a dirty condenser. After being exposed to high temperatures and direct sunlight, the car's interior gets extremely hot, and it does take some time for the AC to start cooling effectively. You can try opening the windows first to ventilate before turning on the AC, and set the temperature not too low to allow the AC to operate efficiently.
